I'm very shocked about the a series of horrifying pornographic videos originating in the Philippines in which scantily clad girls as young as 12 are videotaped torturing animals. These snuff or “crush” videos typically depict stepping, standing, or stomping on animals—from mice to large dogs—and are made for a niche market of demented individuals all around the world.The videos are so heinous that the U.S. enacted a federal law to ban their sale. The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation, responding to information from a whistleblower, conducted a confidential investigation for more than a year into one couple allegedly responsible for the production of “crush” videos that showed scantily clad young girls stomping on live animals, cutting the ears off screaming rabbits who were then set on fire, repeatedly driving a sharp stiletto heel into the eye of a monkey, and doing other horrific acts so disturbing that we will spare you the details.After an extensive search, the couple, Dorma Ridon and her husband, Vicente Ridon, were arrested and charged with violating child abuse, animal welfare, human trafficking, and wildlife-protection laws.Their trial is currently underway, and they continue to be held in custody, with a judgment on the charges expected early next year.This is a precedent-setting case that sends a clear message to people around the world: If you make such videos, you will be caught and you will go to jail.

I urge you to vocally support a bill currently in the Filipino Senate that would criminalize the sale of these videos and to do everything in your power to prevent their production and sale in your country.